Liga MX Final 2014: Leon vs. Pachucha 1st Leg Score and Recap

With a two-goal flurry in a eight-minute span in the second half, Pachuca got the early edge on Leon in the Liga MXClausura final following a 3-2 win in the Estadio Leon.

This first leg was a prime example of the fact that you don't need to be watching soccer of the highest level in order to enjoy the game. The upcoming Champions League final will be hard-pressed to match the fast-paced, continuous action on Thursday night.

Who will take the Liga MX Clausura title?

Pachuca LeonSubmit Votevote to see results

Who will take the Liga MX Clausura title?

Pachuca

36.8%

Leon

63.2%

Total votes: 914

In the final minute alone, Pachuca goalkeeper Oscar Perez made two saves that preserved the win for his side. Leon players had their arms extended in preparation of a celebration, only to watch the ball sail harmlessly out of play.

Leon will certainly view this game as a major opportunity lost. Playing at home, they had the upper hand for most of the first half. They could've easily been up 1-0 or 2-0 before Carlos Pena put Leon one goal up in the 34th minute.

Just when things were looking up, though, Enner Valencia equalized in the 42nd minute.

The first half finished 1-1. As Mexican football expert Tom Marshall pointed out, Pachuca should've felt lucky to have even been tied:

Halftime in the Liga MX final: Leon 1-1 Pachuca. Los Tuzos 2nd best for much of half, but exposed Leon's defensive frailties.

HirvingLozano doubled Pachuca's lead in the 69th minute. He was on the receiving end of a beautiful through ball from Dieter Villalpando, who assisted on all three of Pachuca's goals, before slotting the ball past William Yarbrough.

Speaking to Marshall, the club's sporting director Marco Garces praised Lozano's ability before the final, and his faith was promptly repaid:

Pachuca sporting director on Lozano: "Really excited about him ... he is the typical winger that we want to produce" http://t.co/nSxt6fh3Z0

Rafa Marquez in particular was having himself a howler. The 35-year-old doesn't have the mobility he once did, and as a result, the Pachuca defense was getting in behind him at will. Marquez couldn't cope with the pace of the opposition attack:

Largely against the run of play, Leon pulled one back, though, with the ball deflecting in off Miguel Herrera. That gives them some hope going into the second leg, though walking into the EstadioHidalgo and earning a victory won't be easy.

ESPN's Paul Carr tweeted out what's at stake for both clubs over these two legs:

Many soccer fans have accustomed themselves to valuing away goals above all. As Marshall pointed out, though, there's no away-goal advantage in the Clausura final. Pachuca can't hold out for a 1-0 or 2-1 defeat and still walk away with the title. The second leg would go to extra time if the aggregate scores are level:

Remember no away goals in the Liga MX final. If score level after the two legs, the match goes to extra time on Sunday.